Button broaching machine



March 23, 1948. J. FRIEDMAN 2,438,363

BUTTON BROACHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 2'7, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENTOR.

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Mamzzh 23, 1948. J. FRIEDMAN BUTTON BROACHING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 27, 1943 IN VEN TOR.

March 23, 1948, J. Fl E DMAN 2,438,363.

BUTTON BROACHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 27, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 "III III/I 1 IIJII INVENTOR.

March 1948. J. FRIEDMAN 2,438,363

BUTTON BROACHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 27, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. W

PatentedMar. 23, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUTTON BROACHING MACHINE Jules Friedman, New York, N. Y.

Application October 27, 1943, Serial N0. 507,821

4 Claims. (01. 79-1) My present invention relates to button manufacturing apparatus, and more particularly to a button punching machine for forming mounting holes in the buttons.

In the manufacture of plastic buttons by molding, as well as in the manufacture of many other types of buttons, the mold or die which performs the final operation has prongs for forming the holes in the buttons. However, a thin film of plastic remains in each of the holes of the button, and it is necessary to clear this film. Heretofore, expensive and complex apparatus has been necessary in order to perform this operation. Attempts have been made to devise various types of mechanisms for automatically performing this operation without the necessity for manually treating each individual button.

An important characteristic of my invention is that a plurality of punching members is provided in a single unit for broaching the holes in the buttons as above set forth. These punching members have positive motion toward the button; and yet an important corollary characteristic of my invention is that the buttons are so arranged that they may yield to this positive movement of the punching members and move with the punching members.

The punching members may be positively and accurately driven without the necessity for complex spring arrangements in the punching members themselves.

When, however, the punching members come into contact with the button, the button is yieldingly mounted in such a manner that it may move with the punching member. This yielding mounting is obtained by holding the button in contact with the punching member by means of a spring biased flexible cover plate.

This spring bias permits the punching member to push the button up with it as the punching member rises; but as the punching member rotates while it rises, and the punching prongs on the punching member move into the holes in the button and against the films, the spring bias exerted when the buttons are raised is sufficient to break the film and force the button down onto the prong.

Thus, the operation previously thought necessary in the art is substantially reversed.

My invention difiers from the prior art in that, in the first place, I do away with intermittent motion and the accompanying arms which must be adjusted within critical limits to index each button in the right place. The resulting motion is a smooth continuous one which does not require indexing of the buttons and does not jar the buttons out of the feed. The continuous motion permits greater output since the machine is not idle intermittently.

Instead of indexing each button and punching it, I provide a punch with each hole of the dial feed, and as the dial rotates, the punch rotates also so that the pins or prongs find their way into the holes of the button.

On further rotation of the plate, a cam or ramp makes the punches rise, and at this point a flexible cover plate is provided for the punches to push against and broach the button. In this way if anything is caught, or if a button has too thick a flash to push through, it simply raises the cover plate and the button passes through without the usual breakage which occurred in the old methods. As the dial goes further, a cam brings the punch down, and as it so does it there is a proper chute which disengages the button from the prongs of the punch and takes it from the machine.

My invention resides in the fact that I do away with all necessity for indexing and in that my buttons are punched from the underneath and are engaged by a continuous nonintermittent motion. The set of multiple punches makes this possible. I eliminate the necessity for accurate mechanism by employing the foregoing entirely different principles.

Previously, it was always thought necessary to positively drive the punching member up into engagement with the button and to positively remove the punching member from such engagement in order to complete the entire punching operation.

In my present invention, the punching member merely serves to push the button up against the bias of the spring, so that the spring itself will snap the button down onto the prongs of the punching member to broach the holes when the films at the end of the holes move into registry with the prongs.

Also, in my present invention, a longitudinal drive for moving the punch up and down is made possible which has no mechanical moving parts at all, that is, the end of the punch moves along an undulating rail which causes the punch to rise and fall as it moves.

Likewise, the drive for rotating the punch is, in my present invention, made a function of the rotary movement of the mounting means of my punch, so that a simple friction or gear connection is sufficient to rotate the punch.

Accordingly, a primary object of my invention is the formation of an improved button broaching machine.

Another object of my invention is the formation of a button broaching machine having a longitudinally movable punching member wherein, however, an additional yielding means is provided for engaging the button holes with the punching member.

These and many other objects of my invention will become apparent in the following figures in which:

Figure l is a View in perspective of my novel button breaching machine. I 7

Figure 2 is a top view of the button table of my button broaching machine.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line opening and thus permit the button to slide down onto the ledge 22. In appropriate cases, the top 33 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a schematic View of the mechanism illustrating its operation.

Figure 5 is a View in perspective of one of the punches.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Figure 1 looking in the'direction of the arrows.

Referring now to Figure l, I have shown my improved button broaching machine which, for

purposes of ease of operation and automatic load-,

'ing and delivery, is mounted so that the entire mechanism is at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical. 7 r

The mechanism, as a whole, consists of an upper button carrying plate it, a pair of parallel punch carrying and positioning plates H and I2, and a bottom stationary guide plate l3.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the entire mechanism is mounted on a hollow pedestal M which is rigidly secured to :(or may even be integral with) the underside of the bottom plate l3.

The bottom plate [3 and pedestal M are provided with a central opening l5, shown in Figure 3.

A shaft it is arranged within the hollow pedestal l4 co-axially therewith and extends up through the bottom stationary guide plate l3 to the punch-carrying plates H and I2 and the upper button plate H). The drive shaft I6 is keyed to the plates I0, II, and [2 so that these plates will rotate upon rotation of the drive shaft I6. Shaft It may, in one form of construction, be keyed to the spacer plate I1 between plates Ill and II. Plates I8] and II are secured to the spacer plate I! by means of bolts l8. Plates H and [2 may be interconnected by the bolts H] and spaced properly by'the bushings I9a.

Shaft I6 is operated for rotaryrmotion in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the top view of Figure 2 by any suitable driving means including a motor and connecting elements between the motor and the shaft It. The rotation of shaft [6 thus results in a corresponding rotation of the plates H), H, and [2, with respect to the plate l3. 7 V e V Plate ID is provided with a plurality of recesses for positioning buttons. These recesses 20, as shown in Figures 3 and 6,- are counterbored in such a manner as to provide an opening 2| in the underside through which the punching prongs hereinafter described may pass, an annular ledge 22 on which the button may be seated, and an upper surface of the plate It to provide a wider plate Ill may be provided with a plurality of simple openings; and a set of different plates or rings each having different size ledges 22 may be provided to be secured on the plate Ill so, that the 7 Each of the plates II' and His provided with a plurality of openings 25 and 26 respectively adjacent the periphery for positioning the punch members 3,0 in a vertical position beneath each of the button recesses 20 inthe upper plate;

Consequently, each of the openings 20 in the upper plate It has in vertical alignment immediately beneath it an opening 25 in the plate H and an opening 26 in the plate I2. Since the plates H), II, and l2 are all keyed to the shaft l6 and rotate simultaneously, this alignment of the respective sets of openings '20, 25, and 26 is not disturbed at any time during the operation of the mechanism.

Therefore, any punch 30 which is arranged in any vertically aligned pair of openings 25and 2% will likewise be in alignment with the center of an opening 20 and will always remain in alignment therewith.

The pedestal lfl of the entire mechanism is so mounted that the machine as a whole, or at least all of the parts shown thereof in Figures 1 and 8, is tilted at a substantial angle to the vertical. This angle may be of the order of 45-although a wide variation in the angle of 'tilt may be-made without interfering substantially with the opera-.

tion of the mechanism.

The mechanism, as a whole, is provided with a hopper 3I' which is stationarily supported so that it does not rotate with the plates '10, I l and I2. Accordingly, this hopper is positioned in any suitable manner by brackets 3M. which .are secured to a portion of the periphery of the :stationary guide plate It.

The hopper is arranged so that its closed side is at the lower end of the tilted mechanism. Buttons may thus be thrown into the'top of the hopper and will be retained in position by the closed end of the hopper.

As will be seen from the drawings, the hopper 3| follows and is in close alignment With'the series of peripheral openings 20 for receiving the buttons. To ensure that the inner surface of the hopper follows the line of recesses accurately, an inner guide plate32 maybe provided on the hopper in close proximity to the top surface of plate H] and adacent to the line of recesses 20.

As the plate 10 rotates with respect to the hopper, the buttons are agitated and move about, and, owing to the fiaring'portion 23 of the recess 2!], buttons will set themselves in the recesses 20 as theserecesses move beneath the pile against the hopper wallare in a positionto fall into any open recess.

After a button has entered one of the recesses i 20, as the recess passes through the hopper 3!, the button is carried around by the plate it until the button passes beneath the arcuate flexible spring biased plate 35. 7

Plate 35 is stationarily mounted so that it does not move with the plate I6. However, the plate 35 is so mounted that it is biased toward engagement with the surface of the plate I6 and specifically with that portion of the surface which contains the recesses 26.

The plate 35 is also so mounted that it may be moved away from the plate I6 but, on relaxation of the force tending to move the plate 35 away from the plate I6, plate 35 will snap back to the plate I6. I

The plate 35 is thus mounted and accurately positioned with respect to the series of peripheral openings 26 by means of a, transverse positioning member 46 which is held in position in any suitable manner by the vertical posts 43 and 44.

The posts 43 and 44 are mounted on brackets 45 and 46 which are secured in any suitable manner to the underside of the stationary guide plate I 3.

One method of securing the transverse plate 46 in appropriate position on the posts 43- and 44 is passing bolts 56 and through appropriate openings in the upper transverse positioning member 46, and the placing of longer sleeves 55 and 56 over the respective bolts 56 and 5| so that these sleeves rest on the upper sides of the respective brackets 45 and 46, passing the threaded ends of the bolts 56 and 5| through appropriate openings in the ends of the brackets 45 and 46, and applying a securing nut 66 to the end of each bolt. By this means, the transverse positioning member 46 is securely held in appropriate predetermined relation.

The arcuate flexible metal plate 35 is biased into position by the spring biased rods 62, 63, and 64 which bear against the upper surface of plate 35.

The three rods 62, 63, and 64 pass through appropriate openings in the upper transverse plate 46. A compression spring 66 is secured around each rod; the bottom end of each spring bearing against the ledge or abutment 65 on each rod.

At their upper ends, each spring 66 bears against the underside of the positioning member 46, and thus the spring is compressed driving the rods 62, 63, 64 downwardly.

The upper surface of flexible plate 35 is provided with three bushings 68, 69, 16 secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by brazing, to receive the ends of rods 62, 63, and 64.

Thus, the spring pressed rods 62, 63, 64 press the flexible plate 35 down on the'moving plate I6, and the engagement of the rods in the bushings maintains plate 35 in position. Since plate 35 is flexible, the buttons raising under it, in the manner hereinafter described, may raise different portions of plate 35 to compress different springs 66; and, even though a number of buttons are simultaneously under the plate 35, they are all simultaneously subject to downward spring pressure. Plate 35 may be extended somewhat in a clockwise direction to enable the buttons to enter freely beneath it; and to further ensure that the buttons may enter beneath plate 35, the end 36 of plate 35 may be bent upwardly.

The essential portion of the button breaching mechanism comprises the punch 36, which is illustrated individually in Figure 5, and the operation of which is shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6.

The punch 36 is a single integrated member comprising a main vertical section 96, a lower rounded stud 9| of hardened steel, and upper prongs 92. A constricted section 93 is also provided for purposes hereinafter described. Prongs 92 are a force fit in appropriate holes in the end of punch 36 so that they may readily be replaced should breakage occur.

The prongs 92 are intended actually to broach the film in the button holes of the buttons mounted in the recess 26 of the plate I6.

The main vertical section 96 is provided with a knurled portion 94.

As is seen in Figures 1, 3, and 6, the punch 36 is so mounted in the unit as a whole that each punch passes through a pair of vertically aligned openings 25 and 26 in the positioning plates II and I2, and so that the hardened steel stud 9| bears against the upper surface of the stationary guide plate I3, and so that the prongs 92 are in registry with the button recesses 26 which are in vertical alignment with the openings 25 and 26 through which the punch passes.

The knurled section 94 is thus, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 6, positioned between the plates II and I2.

A curved frictional surface member I66 is supported in any suitable manner as, for instance, by the screws WI and the bracket I62, on the stationary guide plate I3.

The bracket I62 is so arranged that the member I66 registers with the space between th positioning plates II and I2.

The friction surfaced member I66 is adjustably positioned by means of the screws I6| and may be secured in any selected position.

In addition, the bracket I62 may be made of very heavy spring steel to hold the member I66,

in the selected position; but the spring steel of the bracket I62 is just sufiiciently flexible to permit the rack to be displaced somewhat outwardly should a slight deviation in exact registry between the member I66 and punch members 36 occur.

As the punch members 36 are carried about by the plates II and I2 in which they are positioned, the hardened steel stud 9| slides along the stationary guide plate I3.

When the respective punch members successively move into position with respect to the member I66, then the knurled section 94 on the punch member engages the friction member I66, and the punch is thereby rapidly rotated. When the punch moves out of registry with the member I66, then this rotating motion ceases.

The member I66 is arranged so that it substantially. underlies and is co-terminous with the spring biased arcuate plate 35, so that the punch is rotated as it passes beneath this spring plate. Member I66, as seen in Figure 3, may project for a substantial distance to a point well beyond that where the buttons are punched so that the punches may begin their rotation and so that the prongs may move into registry with the buttons at some distance before the punches rise.

As seen in Figure 6, member I66 is preferably provided with a rubber surface to engage the punches 36 and cause them to rotate. The end of member I66 which is first met by the punches 36 may be curved outwardly to a slight extent to ensure that the punches may enter into enagement with the rubber surface of member I66.

The stationary guide member I3 is provided with a ramp I I6, see particularly Figure 4, which underlies the portion of the mechanism over which the member I66 and plate 35 are positioned. 7

Thus, as the punch 36 is moved along the guide plate .13 between plates v. H and t2, and as this punch "moves along with the button carrying plate 110 and the button positioned in the recess 20 immediately above the pimch-then, when the punch moves into position beneath the spring plate 35 and against the member. llll) so that it is rotated, the lower hardened :steel stud 9| f the punch rides up the inclined section H2 of the ramp onto the substantially horizon-R tal section H3 thereof.

The punch, which is now rotating, is thus, by means of the ramp a110,, pushed up so that the prongs .92 rise "up in the button carrying recess 20. The prongs =82 thus push the button which is in the recess up against the spring pressed plate 35 and tightly press the button againstthis plate. The button then pushes .a portion of the flexible plate 35 up against the vbias of the springs 66.

When, during the rotationof the punch 30, the

down onto the It will also be obvious that where the flash film 9 is too thick, the force is a yielding one so that even though the film is not broken, the button plate "keeps on moving and .no jamming or breakage occurs.

As will thus .be seen, the buttons which are thus mounted in the respective recesses 20' have their films broached as the punch passes beneath the spring pressed plate 35.

Once the buttons have thus been broached, the

of the fact that the lower end of the punch 9| rides down from the ramp :0 while the next button and punching member moves into position.

punch may be withdrawn therefrom, by reason :40

The buttons are brought around to the delivery end of the machine where they must now be removed. Removal is accomplished by automatical'lyraising the buttons above the level of the uppermost plate 120 so that they may be lifted off. This is performed by having the punch .30 5

ride up the incline of an additional ramp 12.0.

The ramp L20 is much higher than the original ramp 0. The punches are .not rotated as -they ride up' on this ramp, but the punching members 92 engage the button to lift it substantially clear :of the upper surface of the plate H).

An exit chute 122 is provided for the buttons so that the buttons may ride up thereon at point. For this purpose, the exit chute ends .in

a pair of tines I23 which are arranged in the path of the moving buttons with the ends .of the tines substantially at the point where the :buttons are raised to their highest level above the table by the ramp I20.

The ends of the punching members '92 on the 5 punch pass between the times 123, While the button itself rides up on the surfaces of the tines, since the free ends of the tines are substantially in engagement with the surface of the button carryingplate I 0.

. 7. After the button is thus engaged on the tines 423, then, as thepunch moves alongfw iththe plate, the button is pulled upward on the inclined tines I23 and peeled off of the punch, and hills down chute 2 2.

A side plate 125 adjacent. ramp 120 hasiareentnan-t flange 1% which engages "bet-ween :stud 91 and the :body of the punch .30 to. pull the punchdown asit travels :ofi ramp 121). That is, flange H6 is inclined to the plate .13 to accomplish this function so that the punches may be below the level of the recesses 20 when buttons.

fall therein,

Thus,- as will now :be obvious to those skilled in the art, the essential operations of my device are performed without the utilization of oscillatory members which must be positively driven. Instead of. a positive drive engagement for the punches which must move them up, and which driving engagement must then be reversed to pull them down again, the punches are moved up and down by simple undulating ramps.

The rotation :of the punches at the appropriate time is accomplished by a simple frictional en-' gagement of the punches with a stationary member section adjacent to a portion of the path film is broached cleanly and without chipping V I the button.

In addition, also, although the punch member 30 may be operative by itself to efiect the punchme operation, in the last analysis, my present invention is so arranged that the punching sop:

oration occurs by reason of the compression of spring 66, that is, when the punch .is' raised and while it rotates, it simply raises thesbutton up.

Thus the punching operation is a yielding ionezaml '7 if any button should fail to be punched, the machine is not jammed.

By this means, evengthe punching operation is .done by means of a yielding member which may readily accommodate itself to variations in the button structure or variations in the strength of the film.

The ot-inches may simply be lifted out and different punches reinserted to punch buttons'hav- V ing different spacings between holes", .or the ends of the punches carrying the prongs may have IB- movable tips in threaded engagement with 7 body of the punch.

The operation of all of the foregoing elements of'my invention have been described in connection'with specific descriptions of the various parts thereof. t

Many variations and modificationsbf myinvention should now be obvious to thoseIskil-led in the art. Accordingly, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein but only by the 0 ducible into the openingof said recess; and means for mounting each of said punches in a position normal to the plane of the recess with which it cooperates; said punch mounting ineans be ing connected to the said continuously rotatable member and movable therewith; each punch being at all times in registry with its recess; and a stationary guide plate mounted beneath said continuously rotatable member and said punch mounting means; the lower end of each punch moving along the surface of said guide plate;

said guide plate having a ramp in the path of movement of said punches; the punches successively rising as their lower ends move onto the ramp; the opposite ends of the punches carrying the prongs moving into engagement with the button positioned with respect thereto; a stationary curved friction surfaced member disposed above the plane of said stationary guide plate and substantially in alignment with said ramp; said last mentioned member extending along the path of movement of said punches; a friction surface on said punches registerable with said friction surfaces member; said punches moving successively into engagement with said friction surfaced member and being rotated by their movement with respect thereto, as they are raised, to cause said prongs to register with said holes to be broached; and means cooperating with each punch as it is raised to effect the breaching of the button.

2. In a button broaching machine; a continuously rotatable member having a plurality of recesses for receiving and positioning buttons having holes to be broached; each of said recesses having an opening registering with the section of the button having said holes; a punch individual to each recess and having prongs introducible into the opening of said recess; and means for mounting each of said punches in a position normal to the plane of the recess with which it cooperates; said punch mounting means being connected to the said continuously rotatable member and movable therewith; each punch being at all times in registry with its recess; and a stationary guide plate mounted beneath said continuously rotatable member and said punch mounting means; the lower end of each punch moving along the surface of said guide plate; said guide plate having a ramp in the path of movement of said punches; the punches successively rising as their lower ends move onto the ramp; the opposite ends of the punches carrying the prongs moving into engagement with the button positioned with respect thereto; a stationary curved member disposed above the plane of said stationary guide plate and substantially in alignment with said ramp; said last mentioned member extending along the path of movement of said punches; a portion of each punch being engageable with said member; said punches moving successively into engagement with said surfaced member and being rotated by their movement with respect thereto, as they are raised, to cause said prongs to register with said holes to be broached; and means cooperating with each punch as it is raised to eifect the broaching of the button.

3. In a button broaching machine; a continuously rotatable member having a plurality of recesses for receiving and positioning buttons having holes to be broached; each of said recesses having an opening registering with the section of the button having said holes; a punch individual to each recess and having prongs introducible into the opening of said. recess; and means for mounting each of said punches in a.position normal to the planeof the recess with which it cooperates; said punch mounting means comprising a member connected to the said continuously rotatable member and movable therewith and another member supporting and guiding the base of each punch; each punch being at all times in registry with its recess; said punches being readily manually removable by lifting the same up and out through the opening in the recess with which it registers.

4. In a button breaching machine; a continuously rotatable substantially circular member having a plurality of recesses for receiving and positioning buttons having holes to be broached; each of said recesses having an opening registering with the section of the button having said holes; a punch individual to each recess and having prongs introducible into the opening of said recess; and means for mounting each of said punches in a position normal to the plane of the recess with which it cooperates; said punch mounting means being connected to the said continuously rotatable member and movable therewith; each punch being at all times in registry with its recess; means for successively raising each of said punches into engagement with the button positioned with respect thereto; a stationary spring biased resilient member engaging the surface of said continuously rotatable member over the said recesses and along a substantial arc of said continuously rotatable member; and means for rotating said punches on their individual axes as they move along said are beneath said resilient member to cause the prongs thereof to register with the holes in said buttons; and means for raising said punches during their traverse beneath said resilient member; said punches when raised cooperating with said resilient member to broach said buttons.

J ULES FRIEDMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 369,070 Naylor Aug. 30, 1887 766,014 Barry et a1. July 26, 1904 1,032,829 Herzog July 16, 1912 1,693,904 Knott Dec. 4, 1928 2,254,479 Foster et a1 Sept. 2, 1941 

